Lightning-rod coupling.



E. A. SCHMITT.

LIGHTNING ROD COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.23.1914.

1 9 163,]. 81 Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

WITNESSES:

COLUMBIA PLANOGRM'H co 'ASHlNGTDN, u. c.

UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE.

EUGENE A. SOHMITT, 0F GREENGASTLE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR To come BROTHERS LIGHTNING ROD COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

LIGHTNING-ROD COUPLING.

To all whom it may concern: I I Be it known that I, EUGENE A. SorIMIT'r, a citizen of the United States, resldlng at the city of Greencastle, in Putnam county,

a firm mechanical joint and also a good elec trical connection between them, and constitutes an improvement on the coupling means described in United States Patent NO. 297,290 to Patee, whereby a firmer mechanical joint may be readily formed between the coupling elements and the rod section and also particularly a better electrical joint without the necessity of making the connector longer.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the complete coupling; Fig. 2 is a view of the end of the flanged rod section and of the connecting member beforebeing applied to the rod, the latter being shown in section; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the connector as cast and before application to the rod; Fig. 4 is a cross section along the line m-m of Fig. l.

1 represents a metal connector, preferably of copper, designed to be attached to the end of a flanged lightning rod section 2 and is Provided with either a threaded recess or complementary threaded projection 3 whereby two connectors may be detachably joined. The threads are formed on the connectors after the same are applied to the rod Section.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the connector as cast and ready for application to the end of a rod section, 5 representing the recess in which the rod section is inserted and conforming in shape thereto. The connector is provided with excess metal at the points 6 and the end of each rod Section is provided Specification of Letters Patent.

ductive material having with depressions and projections, for instance, by forming the notches 45 therein.

Patented Dec. '7, 1915. Application filed. December 23, 1914. Serial N 0. 878,679;

After having been applied to the rod, the

metal'is pressed and swaged into close contact therewith, the shape of the recess 5 and the excess metal 6 permitting the bringing of the metal of the connector into intimate con tact with a large surface ofthe rod and entering the notches 4, thus, at the same time, forming a smooth firm mechanical joint and also a good electrical joint.

Fig. 4c shows the position of the metal of the connector with'refere'nce to the rod sec tion after application.

Having fully described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent of the United States is:

1. A metal connector for lightning rod sections provided with an angular recess in one end for the reception ofthe, end of a flanged rod section and before application to the rod substantially conforming in cross section throughout its depth with the cross section of said rod, said connector being also provided with excess metal adjacent to said recess, whereby the connector may be swaged into an intimate contact with a relatively large area of the surface of the rod section to form a firm mechanical and a good electrical joint.

2. The combination of a flanged lightning rod section having depressions and projections on the flanges adjacent to their ends, and a connecting member of electrically cona recess in one end conforming throughout its depth to the shape of the rod section" and of sufficient depth to include the depressions and projections on the rod whereby a large contact area between the rod and connector is provided and firm mechanical connection is secured.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal in the presence I Witnesses v EDGAR L. HARRIS,

BENJ. F. CORWIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. Y 

